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Students at Oliver Citywide Academy (OCA) in Pittsburgh will be attending one of four satellite locations this year instead of the school’s North Side building. The decision to shift locations was announced by Pittsburgh Public Schools after receiving state approval for the district-wide special education plan for the 2023-2024 school year. School officials had been considering this move since January.

The current facility of Oliver Citywide Academy is closely associated with the grief of losing two students to gun violence just outside the campus over the past year and a half. In June, students started remote learning 9 days before the end of the school year to mourn the death of 15-year-old Derrick Harris, who was shot and killed outside the school. Another student allegedly carried out the shooting. Marquis Campbell, also 15, was shot and killed outside the school in January 2022. In addition, a student allegedly assaulted a teacher inside the school in late September.

Superintendent Wayne Walters stated that they have heard the deep pain expressed by the Pittsburgh Oliver school community regarding the current facility. As a result, Oliver students will now be served in four satellite sites instead of one location. This will allow all students to receive full-time emotional support within buildings that also have conventional education classrooms.

At each satellite location, Oliver students will have separate classrooms, teachers, administrators, and support staff. The satellite locations are as follows:

1. Greenway Middle School in Crafton Heights: Maximum of 40 students from grades 6-12.
2. Perry Traditional Academy on the North Side: Maximum of 12 students.
3. Milliones 6-12 building in the Hill District: Maximum of 12 students.
4. King PreK-8 on the North Side: Maximum of 18 students from grades 3-8.

Assistant Superintendent of the Program for Students with Exceptionalities, Patti Camper, emphasized the need to create equity in access and support for all students. The goal is to increase the number of students receiving special education services in general education classrooms from the current 54% to approximately 62%. This will require training for teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators on inclusive practices and school-based behavioral health.

The state-approved special education plan aims to better meet the needs of vulnerable students, providing them with the necessary support and resources within comprehensive school buildings.

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